Raise a Glass to the Troops this Memorial Day

It is with honor that we raise a glass to the men and women who have and do serve to protect our country, the sacrifices these military servicemen make is one that nothing else compares to. These men and women deserve much more than just our respect, they deserve more than we can offer, so this Memorial Day, we honor them with a toast, for their years of service, with one of these delicious cocktails. Now there’s no need to take cocktail making classes, or to buy a cocktail kit, because we bring you some simple, and delicious drink recipes from Skinnygirl Cocktails, DeLeón Platinum Tequila, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, and Knob Creek Rye Whiskey. We bring you red, white, and blue (really purple) cocktail recipes to show our gratitude to our troops.

Ras-beery Cooler

1 part Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
1 part chilled beer
2 parts raspberry lemonade concentrate
Lemon wedge or garnish
Lime peel for garnish
Mix all ingredients in a glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge and lime peel.

Watermelon Refresher

2 parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
1 large piece muddled fresh watermelon
1 part club soda
1 tsp. agave nectar
Squeeze of lime
Pour ingredients over ice. Top with club soda.

Platinum Sage Margarita

2 oz. DeLeón Platinum tequila infused with fresh sage
¾ oz. clarified lime juice
¾ oz. fresh cane syrup
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass over cracked and cubed ice until thoroughly cold. Strain into a chilled coupe and serve up garnished with a sage leaf.

Basil Hayden’s Spiced Blueberry Punch (Created by Debbi Peek)
Recipe serves 4-5

4 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
8 parts Blueberry Juice
8 parts Passion Fruit Juice
Sparkling Wine or Club Soda
15-20 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 bag Frozen Blueberries, for ice ring
Add Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon, blueberry juice, passion fruit juice and mint leaves to a medium sized punch bowl and stir. Add blueberry ice ring*. (See recipe below.) Serve in a cocktail glass and top with club soda or sparkling wine.

*Blueberry Ice Ring

Freeze one bag of frozen blueberries with water in a bundt cake pan.
Dip frozen ring into hot water for a few seconds to unmold.
Place in punch bowl with blueberry side up.

Knob Creek Rye Blackhawk

2 parts Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper® Sloe Gin
1 maraschino cherry for garnish
In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the whiskey and gin. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.